As time evolves and technology advances, nearly every industry feels the impact. The real estate industry is no different. Over the past ten to fifteen years, the internet and tech innovations have changed many components of buyers and sellers working with professional real estate agents.
Many processes and much of the access to information needed to transact that was once veiled behind the doors of a real estate agent’s office have now become available to anyone with a laptop or a smartphone. Resources like Zillow and Bankrate can give buyers and sellers information that was once only obtainable for licensed professionals through the MLS. This is no longer the case.
Today, buyers and sellers can calculate mortgage rates and payment amounts online. Reliable affordability and down payment calculators abound. Home value estimators and nearby comparable sales prices are one click away. The information needed to set a sales price or negotiate a fair offer is theoretically available without the help of a professional.
In 2021, with access at your fingertips and the ability to DIY the purchase or sale of your home more doable than ever, what makes hiring a real estate professional worthwhile? Basically, it boils down to two things: marketing and a personal touch.
Marketing
One of the most crucial elements today’s real estate professionals must understand and implement is successful marketing. We are living in a digital world. Does your agent provide a powerful digital presence online with their website and social media channels? Are they taking full advantage of content and email marketing?
Do they utilize technological innovations by using aerial drones, creative photography services, video or virtual tours, and “going live” for open houses? Marketing moves beyond simple advertising and most impactfully includes networking among other agents and within the community at large.
By keeping up continuing education, staying current on real estate trends, and implementing the latest best practices, ensure that your home buying or selling transaction will go smoothly by hiring a professional who fully understands the advantages that successful marketing brings to the table.
Personalized Experience
Ideally, you should think about hiring a real estate professional for their ability to go really big and then go really small. If grand marketing efforts like reaching the masses with the information and imagery to procure a home purchase or sale is the going big, equally as important is the going small, by making the entire experience as personal as possible.
Real estate professionals should offer a unique and personalized experience for each of their clients. As military service families relocate, your real estate agent knows that every move for every family is different.
Trained professionals utilize and draw upon their knowledge and expertise to help provide an efficient and profitable encounter that fits each situation and each client in an exclusive and individual way. By taking into account personal preferences, unique family needs, financial considerations, and more, a real estate professional can give attention to your priorities. In this way, they offer incredible value beyond simply making offers and advertising properties.
While property specialization and transactional expertise are very important components of working with a trained professional, the two most valuable aspects come down to their powerful digital presence and the elements of personal touch that they can offer you. Be sure to seek out an agent, like me, who either knows first-hand or appreciates fully what it’s like to be part of the military lifestyle and the unique challenges and opportunities that come along with serving our nation. Those of us committed to making a relocation easier on military service members and their families continue to use that experience and information to work harder for you so that buying or selling your home doesn’t have to be a source of stress as you PCS.